Prayer for January 27-February 2, 2013 

Sermon Text: Luke 4:14-21

That we may preach and enact your good and liberating news

God of all, we rejoice that Christ Jesus has come among us as your agent of holiness, truth and peace.  We rejoice that in 

Christ Jesus many have heard the good news about the forgiveness and freedom that You offer.  Many have received your healing touch that restores vision.

     But many have not heard good news.

     Many have not been liberated from bondage to sin, or from their prison cells.

     Many have not received your healing touch or restored vision.

     Many do not know, or do not believe, that Jesus of Nazareth has fulfilled many of your promises to Israel and welcomed others to share in those promises.

     Enable us, as your servants, and followers of Jesus, whom You sent among us, to continue to preach and enact good news to the poor that frees them from poverty; to preach and enact liberation for those who are in bondage to sin or incarcerated in jails and prisons, or oppressed under immovable burdens of debt.

     Enable us to be agents of your healing who bring light and insight to those who are blind.

     Gracious God, enable us to hear the good news of Jesus in ways that energize us to extend his ministry, in fresh ways, to many neighbors, one neighbor at a time.  Amen.

Prayer for January 20-26, 2013 

Suggested Text: John 2:1-11 (I did not use this text)

That we may experience more fully your holy and awesome presence

God, our God, You came among us in Christ Jesus and quietly became the life of the party.

As we celebrate the life You have given to us, with all of its oddities and perplexities, with its moments of grandeur and moments of anxiety and abasement, You provide for us in ways that we could not foresee.  In spite of our experience of your faithfulness, You continue to give better than we expect of You.

We rejoice that You have entered into solidarity with us through Jesus Christ.  We rejoice that You provide surprising goodness.  We rejoice that the wondrous signs Jesus did declare your love for us and draw us into your holy and awesome presence, where we may taste your goodness and rejoice in You with joy.  Amen.

Prayer for January 13-19, 2013 

Sermon Text: Luke 3:15-22

That we may be beloved and pleasing daughters and sons

God of all, help us to be clear about our relationship to Christ Jesus: he is strong while we are weak and unworthy of his presence, though we depend upon him, constantly, for your mercy.

Help us to be clear about and faithful to our responsibility to point to Jesus as the bearer of your Holy Spirit and to receive and live the life of the Spirit. 

Help us to be clear about and prepare ourselves for the judgment Jesus will bring upon all that does not honor You.  Eliminate all that is useless and fruitless from our lives.  Gather us to yourself as the harvest of Christ’s labor.

God of all, we rejoice in Christ Jesus’ solidarity with us in baptism.  We rejoice in your affirmation of Jesus as your beloved and pleasing Son.  And we rejoice that the ministry of Jesus has extended through the ages to touch and embrace our lives, and through us, to touch and embrace others.

In Jesus’ name, let us also be your beloved and pleasing daughters and sons.  We rejoice in You.  Amen.

Prayer for January 6-12, 2013 

Sermon Text: Matthew 2:1-12

That we may bring You all of our gifts

God of new life and new beginnings we worship You.  We come before You with joy for You have drawn us to yourself.  You have lit the pathway to your presence so that we might seek You and find You.  You have given us hearts that could not rest until they rested in your presence.

     All of our gifts are for You.  We offer ourselves as followers of your Chosen One, not for a single moment of gift giving, but for a lifetime of faithful obedience and dedicated love.

     God, may we never grow tired of your presence.  May our zeal for you never waver.  May our sensitivity to your guidance through your Word and your Spirit increase as we trust in You.  You are our daily delight.  Amen.